Investors Needed to Keep The Outeniqua Choo Tjoe Train on Track

The future of the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe train, the only scheduled steam train remaining in Africa, is hanging in the balance. Before reading any further I think you should watch the first video to really set the mood.

I remember as a young child walking to a bridge early in the morning just to watch the steam train pass by. The sound and smell of the steam train as it carries its passengers to some distant place held a certain magic for me then and it still does today.

Before we get to the news which may be good or bad, depending on which side of the fence, or should we say track, you are on,  maybe a bit of background history of the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe train will inspire you to invest in the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe's future.

The history of the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe train dates back to 1922 when the South African Railways and Harbours Board suggested  the construction of a railway line linking the two towns George and Knysna.

The railway line between these two picturesque towns on the world-famous Garden Route is 42 miles long. The building of this historical railway line started in 1924 and was officially opened on 17 October 1928. 

The route hugs the rugged coastline and winds its way past fern-covered hills, through dense forests, across low-level bridges and through tunnels and cuttings before it ends its journey in Knysna where it crosses the lagoon by bridge.

Anyone who spent time in Knysna before 2006 will know what a thrilling and beautiful experience it is to see this steam train cross the lagoon when it is covered in mist. It creates the impression of a train traveling on clouds and adds a sense ofmagic to this awesome sight.

For those of you not familiar with the beautiful Garden Route and in particular the town Knysna,  I have added a video so that you can fully appreciate why this area is one of the most popular holiday destinations.

By 1992 the George-Knysna railway line was carrying about 40,000 passengers a year and was officially declared a preserved railway line although it was only officially handed over to the Transnet Foundation Heritage Preservation in 1993. Ten years later this line was carrying 115,000 passengers a year of which 70% were foreign tourists.

Unfortunately in August 2006 severe storms hit the Southern Cape causing extensive damage to the railway infrastructure and numerous landslides smothered  the railway line between George and Knysna.

Transnet, the state-run owner,  was forced to close the line as the damage ran into millions of dollars and would require major construction work and the rebuilding of the line in many places.

In its wake the storm left some potential landslides above the railway line between the Kaaimansriver Bridge ( as seen on photo) and the Wilderness which is a huge concern specially regarding the level of engineering expertise required to stabilize and secure the embankment. 

In November 2006 the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe resumed operations but the route between Knysna and George remained closed and the original Outeniqua Choo Tjoe route was replaced with a trip between George and Hartenbos.

The route was later extended and currently runs from George to Mossel Bay and currently runs three times a week between the Outeniqua Transport Museum in George and the Dias Museum complex in Mossel Bay.

The future of the Outeniqua has been in the balance for some time now and rumors were that Transnet was considering closing down the operation at the end of June this year. Transnet shut-down this route for what was intended to be a month's maintenance but this was extended to 19 October 2009.

Transnet Freight Rail has now called for "Expressions of Interest" as they wish to sell the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe train. Despite the fact that this train is a very popular tourist attraction Transnet are struggling to make money from this tourist attraction.

The sale of this train is part of the company's restructuring program whereby they intend to sell off any assets not directly related to their core competency - freight transport. Transnet has however stated that they will only sell this heritage train to a potential operator whom they are convinced is able to turn this business into a sustainable and profitable business.

The concession will initially be limited to the current George-Mosselbay route which will mean that Transnet will be their landlord. The purchasing of this train and the working capital needed to run and maintain steam engines is going to need some pretty serious funding.

The finer details of track charges and the kind of access Transnet will give a private steam-operator will need to be determined up front.

Transnet has agreed to run the service until a new operator for the steam train could be appointed.

Let's hope that they find someone or a group of businessmen that not only have the funding but the business acumen to not only make it a sustainable business but grow it into a flourishing one that will allow future generations the opportunity to experience the thrill of traveling on a steam train. This is something that everyone should experience at least once during their lifetime.